Interesting reading some of your thoughts re: United States function & dis-function. I so badly want to comment but I am trying hard to refrain. I came here for Brainchip discussion. But I can't help myself.
Just two comments about improving my beloved country. 1) Enact term limits (....fat chance). THEN, perhaps, mandatory voting might work.
2) Disallow, or reverse, personhood for corporations (...fat chance, since they own elected officials).
I'm resigned that America will always be on fire, ....literally, figuratively, and metaphorically.